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COVID-19 Response Program

Overview

On March 19, Governor Holcomb took additional actions to protect and support Hoosiers during the COVID-19 outbreak with Executive Order 20-05. This order directs multiple state agencies on the expectations of providing support and protection to Hoosiers across the State. The Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) has therefore been issued the following action item:

Community Development Block Grant funds may be redirected to assist with COVID-19 needs based on guidance from the United States Housing and Urban Development.

COVID-19 Response Program was created to address the immediate impacts of COVID-19 on Indiana’s rural communities. Funds are derived from the State’s annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation and guidance was provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on how the funds were to be used.

Phase 2: Long-Term Recovery

Eligible applicants include non-entitlement local units of government and can apply for up to $250,000. The two eligible economic recovery activities include grants or loans to businesses to retain low-to-moderate (LMI) jobs. In order to provide further detail and an avenue to answer questions, OCRA hosted a webinar from Thursday, June 4.

What's different about this phase?

In Phase 2, more information is being requested up-front to reduce after award administration

Communities that received an award in phase 1 may apply again for phase 2

Communities that applied in phase 1 but did not receive an award:

Recieve 10 points automatically;

Phase 1 economic recovery application can be reopened.

2020 Timeline

June 4: Introduction webinar

June 8: Program opens

First public hearing must be held between June 8 and July 19

June 21: Proposals are due

July 19: Applications are due

Week of August 9: Awards announced

Eligible Activities

Must meet a National Objective and Eligible Activity;

Maximum grant amount $250,000

Project Type

Eligible Activities

Grants to Business to Retain LMI Jobs

Working capital; continue operations; support remote work.

Additional requirements:
- Up to $10,000 per business
- 2 years of annual reporting after Closeout

Loans to Business to Retain LMI Jobs

Working capital; continue operations; support remote work.

Additional requirements:
- Up to $25,000 per business
- 3 to 5 year term
- Up to 2% interest
- Up to 1% loan administration fee
- Monthly, quarterly, or annual payments
- Balance can convert to a grant if business retains jobs for at least 2 years
- Payments can be deferred for first six months at 0% interest
- Requires annual reporting by the community in perpetuity

Phase 1: Immediate Needs

On April 1, the COVID-19 Response Program launched and, over the course of two weeks, received 108 Letters of Need, totaling an estimated $23 million in requests. On April 22, Lt. Governor Crouch announced the first 13 recipients of this program.

Click here to read the press release with descriptions of what each community will do with their funding.

On April 30, an additional 49 rural Hoosier communities received more than $8.8 million in federal grant funding through the new COVID-19 Response Program. “With today’s announcement, Indiana has awarded more than $10.7 million to our rural communities,” said Lt. Governor Crouch. “From increasing access to necessary testing and medical supplies to providing businesses and their workers with much needed relief, these funds are directly assisting in the fight against COVID-19.”

Individual Programs

-Minor adjustments to the facility that assist in addressing immediate needs related to COVID-19*

-Split rooms for smaller rooms with temporary walls

-Expand electrical and other utilities to meet the needs of medical equipment

Rehabilitate a facility to centralize Treatment

-Provide treatment
-Convert building that had a prior use (ex. hotel or old school)
-Focus on a specific group of patients
-Minor adjustments to the facility that assist in addressing immediate needs related to COVID-19*

To be considered Exempt from Environmental Review work done must be of a limited scope to address immediate needs related to COVID-19.

If the work has a longer-term benefit or would broaden the use of the facility after the COVID-19 pandemic then a Categorically Excluded subject to review would need to be completed.

Public Services (15% cap): Maximum grant amount $250,000

Project Type

Eligible Activities

Provide Testing, Diagnosis, or other Services

-Supplies and operations
-Fixed or mobile location
-Everyone in an area or focus on a specific group

Increase capacity of local Health Services

-Bring in outside health service providers
-Fixed or mobile location
-Everyone in an area or focus on a specific group

Establish Delivery Service to provide supplies

-Deliver needed supplies to quarantined individuals or those that are medically vulnerable
-Focus on a specific group
-Supplies could include: meals, medications, hygiene supplies

Economic Development: Maximum grant amount $250,000

Project Type

Eligible Activities

Grants to Business to Retain LMI Jobs

-Working capital
-Continue operations
-Support remote work

Loans to Business to Retain LMI Jobs

-Working capital
-Continue operations
-Support remote work

Additional Requirements:
-Requires existing Revolving Loan Fund or similar instrument
-Loans must be made at 0% interest
-Can be forgivable

Questions should be directed to your respective Community Liaison or email info@ocra.in.gov.